School districts receive transportation aid funds

MADISON – The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction is distributing $5 million in aid for districts with above-average student transportation costs under the first year of the high cost transportation categorical aid, according to a news release from the Wisconsin DPI.

Districts set to recieve funds include: Adams-Friendship Public Schools, $92,910.56, and Nekoosa Public Schools, $29,164.82

Districts were eligible for high cost transportation aid if their transportation costs exceed 150 percent of the statewide average cost per member. Funding levels were based on audited data and enrollment counts from the 2012-13 school year. Of the districts granted funds, nine received more than $100,000; 30 received between $50,000 and $100,000; 73 received between $5,000 and $50,000; and 16 received less than $5,000.

The new categorical aid was created by a collaborative effort between State Superintendent Tony Evers and Sen. Luther Olsen, as well as the State Superintendent’s Rural Advisory Council, as a way to reduce disproportionately high transportation expenses, the release said.

State law requires that school districts provide transportation to public and private school students if the student resides more than two miles from the nearest public school they are entitled to attend. As transportation related expenses have risen, commensurate funding levels have not, putting pressure on districts with large transportation budgets.

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